Didactic Curriculum

The goal of our residency program is to produce outstanding physicians
who are capable of functioning at the highest level in all types of
practices from community emergency departments to academic
centers. This goal is achieved by providing an outstanding
learning environment for our residents. A formal curriculum and
bedside teaching are an integral part of the resident experience.
Our philosophy is that a superior fund of knowledge is gained by both
learning from caring for patients under the supervision of attending
physicians and from a strong didactic program.

On select Wednesdays, our residents attend regional conferences
including NYACEP Resident Career Day, NYACEP Resident Research Forum and
a New York EM Critical Care conference.

EM Text Review Sessions: Our residency program currently
uses Rosen’s Text of Emergency Medicine. The entire text is
covered over a 3-year curriculum. Weekly readings (20-35 pages)
are assigned to the residents. The assigned reading is discussed
with a powerpoint presentation (prepared by a resident and supervised by
the assistant residency director) at each Wednesday conference. A
quiz is administered for the assigned reading by using an audience
response system, where the questions are contained throughout the
presentation. The audience response system allows for real-time
feedback on comprehension of the material. Additionally residents take
quarterly review quizzes covering approximately ten chapters in
preparation for the annual "In-Service" exam.

Core Content Curriculum: These lectures are based on the
model of emergency medicine are given weekly by the ED attending staff
(mostly core faculty). This curriculum is covered over 3
years. Each resident chooses and gives a core content lecture in
their senior (EM-3) year.

Grand Rounds: Guest lecturers are invited to present various
topics covering the current innovations in EM. Upcoming topics
include Endovascular treatment of Acute Stroke, New drugs and devices
that can change your practice, Evidence Based Fallacies in EM &
Toxicology Updates.

EKG Interpretation: These lectures occur regularly over the
course of the academic year and cover a broad spectrum of topics from
basic EKG interpretation to interesting and difficult
EKGs. Training with the assistance of online
resources provides access to lectures as well as links to various
sites that assist the resident in developing effective and advanced EKG
interpretation skills.

Radiology lectures: X-rays, CTs, MRIs are all covered
during these lectures and are closely tied to case presentations, making
each film interpretation interesting. Recently misinterpreted
studies are an integral part of these sessions.

Journal
Club: Journal Club is held monthly. We use an
evidence-based approach and review articles on diagnosis and therapy,
focusing on meta-analyses whenever possible. We choose landmark studies
that have an applicability and impact on clinical care. We expect the
residents to read and critically appraise the articles using worksheets
that we provide.

Ultrasound: Bedside ultrasound is one of the strongest aspects of
our residency and we offer an US
fellowship. The Division of Emergency Ultrasound uses these
sessions to teach basic and novel topics in Point-of-Care
ultrasound. These lectures along with the ultrasound rotation and
frequent bedside scan sessions in the ED are the reason that our
residents are so proficient in ultrasound by the end of the residency.

Departmental Morbidity & Mortality: Residents consider
this the overwhelmingly most interesting and important part of our
didactic curriculum. This is the forum where an EM-3 resident
prepares and presents cases under the direct supervision of the
departmental chair during their administrative rotation. These
cases come from patients treated in our ED with the goal of these
sessions being to emphasize how future care can be improved.

Resident
EM Case Presentations: Residents are assigned to present
recent and interesting cases. Adult medical, pediatric and trauma
Cases are prepared and presented to the audience in an oral board
format. The trauma case is presented monthly, in a joint conference with
the Surgical Department.

Simulation Lab/Procedural Sessions: The
NYP/Queens Simulation Lab utilizes a high fidelity system that allows
residents to develop necessary skills needed to manage emergent patients
in the Emergency Department. During the course of the academic
year, the lab serves as the setting for teaching both procedural and
medical/surgical/pediatric resuscitation competency. On conference
days, there are weekly simulation sessions with smaller groups to delve
into emergency medicine cases that help to fortify the knowledge gained
throughout the years focusing on pathophysiology through team leadership
and communication. Throughout these sessions, the residents engage
in hands on, interactive, multidisciplinary scenarios that focus on
emergent medical management of various clinical cases. We also have
additional sessions throughout the year to supplement clinical
learning with hands on opportunities to perform and practice all
types of procedures.